COMPOSTELA, Davao de Oro — A 45-year-old public school teacher was arrested during a joint anti-illegal drug operation in Barangay Poblacion, Compostela, Davao de Oro, on the night of October 22, with authorities reporting the seizure of six sachets of suspected methamphetamine hydrochloride, locally known as shabu, and marked buy-bust money.
The operation was conducted at around 10:45 p.m. by operatives of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) Region XI, through its Davao de Oro Provincial Office, in coordination with the Davao de Oro Police Provincial Office and the Compostela Municipal Police Station. The operation also involved the provincial police’s intelligence and drug enforcement units.
The suspect, identified only by the alias “Jesly,” was classified by authorities as a high-value drug suspect and was arrested for alleged violations of Republic Act No. 9165, or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002, as amended.
According to the initial account of the operation, the suspect allegedly sold one transparent plastic sachet containing suspected shabu worth ₱7,000 to an undercover PDEA operative acting as a poseur-buyer. The transaction reportedly led to the suspect’s arrest and the recovery of additional suspected illegal drugs.
Authorities reported recovering a total of six sachets containing suspected shabu, along with the marked money used in the operation and a green pouch. The initial report placed the total weight of the seized drugs at approximately 73 grams, with an estimated standard drug value of ₱496,400.
However, the police account did not disclose the weight and estimated value of the confiscated substances, so the reported figures have yet to be reconciled in the available information.
Following the arrest, authorities said the seized items were marked, documented and inventoried at the scene in the presence of the suspect and the required witnesses, in accordance with Section 21 of Republic Act No. 9165, as amended.
The suspect and the confiscated evidence were subsequently turned over to the PDEA Region XI Davao de Oro Provincial Office for proper disposition and the filing of appropriate charges.
The case adds to the enforcement operations being carried out by national drug enforcement authorities and local police against suspected illegal drug activities in Davao de Oro. The participating agencies have reiterated their commitment to inter-agency cooperation in addressing the illegal drug trade and promoting public safety across the province.
Despite the suspect’s arrest, the allegations remain subject to the legal process. The suspect is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court. No further details regarding the suspect’s employment status or any administrative action by the education authorities were provided in the available reports.